The Tottenham Hotspur board have decided to showcase ambition in their hunt for a new manager, with an "elite" name now on their shortlist as a potential replacement for Ange Postecoglou.
Managers linked with Tottenham as Ange Postecoglou heads towards exit
There is a growing sense behind-the-scenes that chairman Daniel Levy will part company with Postecoglou, regardless of whether Spurs end up winning this year's Europa League (Matt Law).
This follows a seriously lacklustre 2024/2025, where Postecoglou hasn't been dealt the easiest hand, thanks largely to injury issues which have swept through the squad on a consistent basis all season long.
However, 16th in the Premier League after 18 top flight defeats is closer to relegation form than that of a 'big six' side, and critics have been arguing that Spurs should be doing far better - regardless of their luck with player availability this term.
With Postecoglou now heading towards the exit door, which is more likely than not as things stand (The Telegraph), the Lilywhites are making contingency plans and performing due-diligence on managerial candidates to succeed the Australian.
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth), Marco Silva (Fulham), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Thomas Frank (Brentford) and Scott Parker (Burnley) have all been linked with the job within this past fortnight, while there is some belief that Mauricio Pochettino would be keen on a return to Tottenham after a tough start to life in charge of the USA.
Further abroad, Spurs are big fans of Simone Inzaghi and his work at Inter Milan over the last few seasons (Fabrizio Romano), but the Nerazzurri won't be keen to lose their successful tactician, who is currently attempting to guide them to a second consecutive Serie A title.
According to reports in Germany, Tottenham have also made contact with Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac, but the former Croatia captain has no interest in leaving the Bundesliga for N17 as things stand.
Tottenham now targeting Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti
Now, in a surprise update, it is believed Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is being targeted by Levy and Spurs.
The Italian is one of world football's most decorated ever managers, having won five Champions League titles across spells at the Bernabeu and AC Milan, with Ancelotti also boasting Premier League title-winning experience from his time at Chelsea.
The 65-year-old also has a Bundesliga title on his CV, having managed Bayern Munich as well, so there is no question Ancelotti brings success wherever he goes. His £8.3 million-per-year contract expires in 2026, and amid Real's links to Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, he faces an uncertain future.
According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham's board have internally discussed moving for Ancelotti, after "key decision-makers" at the club decided to be "bold" and mean business in their pursuit of Postecoglou's potential replacement.